Derby delight for Wigan Warriors after claiming nine-try win over Leigh Leopards
Wigan Warriors made it three wins from three with a ruthless 54-0 demolition of neighbours Leigh Leopards at the Brick Community Stadium, running in nine unanswered tries in a one-sided derby display.
Wigan wasted little time asserting their dominance. On 11 minutes, Adam Keighran finished superbly in the corner after a flat pass from Bevan French created the space out wide. Keighran added the extras for a 6-0 lead.
The hosts doubled their advantage on 22 minutes when French turned from provider to scorer, throwing a dummy and wriggling over from close range. Keighran was again on target to make it 12-0.
Four minutes later, the Warriors had their third. Junior Nsemba showed sharp reactions to pat Harry Smith’s kick back, allowing Jai Field to pounce. Keighran maintained his perfect record from the tee for 18-0.
The first-half rout continued on the half-hour mark as Smith himself crossed for Wigan’s fourth try of the evening. Keighran’s conversion made it 24-0 at the break, with Leigh struggling to contain Wigan’s pace and precision.
Any hopes of a second-half response were quickly extinguished. Three minutes after the restart, Patrick Mago burst through a gap before finding the supporting Field, who raced over for his second of the night. Keighran converted once more for 30-0.
On 54 minutes, French produced another moment of class, firing a cut-out pass to send Zach Eckersley over in the corner. Keighran remained flawless with the boot as Wigan stretched their lead to 36-0.
The onslaught continued in the 64th minute when Nsemba latched onto a neat grubber from Smith to add his name to the scoresheet. Keighran’s conversion brought up the 40-point mark at 42-0.
A superb team try followed on 71 minutes. Field’s trademark break sliced the Leigh defence open, and he unselfishly sent Smith over in support. Keighran converted for 48-0.
The scoring was completed four minutes from time when Tom Forber darted over under the posts after Leigh’s drop-out failed to travel the required 10 metres. Keighran’s ninth successful conversion sealed a resounding 54-0 victory.
It was a clinical, relentless display from Wigan, who underlined their early-season credentials in emphatic fashion.
Wigan: Jai Field; Zach Eckersley, Adma Keighran, Liam Farrell, Liam Marshall; Bevan French, Harry Smith; Ethan Havard, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Sam Walters, Kaide Ellis. Subs: Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Sam Eseh, Tom Forber.
Tries: Keighran, French, Field (2), Smith (2), Eckersley, Nsemba, Forber | Goals: Keighran 9/9
Leigh: Bailey Hodgson; Innes Senior, Tesi Niu, Keanan Brand, Josh Charnley; Adam Cook, Lachlan Lam; Joe Ofahengaue, Liam Horne, Frankie Halton, Owen Trout, Isaac Liu. Subs: Jack Hughes, Matt Davis, Jacob Alick-Wiencke, Gareth O’Brien. 18th man: Andrew Badrock.
Tries: | Goals:
Referee: Liam Moore | Attendance: 16,370